A CASH-STRAPPED motorist tried to steer police up a blind alley in a bungled £14,000 car insurance scam.

Officers quickly rumbled Gillian O’Connor’s attempts to divert them when she reported her Kia Sportage stolen.

She arranged to have the 4x4 torched to claim the £14,000 insurance money as she struggled to pay finance and could not get a high enough sale price for it.

Police were suspicious and warned the 34-year-old driver she could be prosecuted for any false claims but she persisted.

The vehicle was found burned out in Thorpe Thewles, but with no signs of forced entry. Windows had been left open to speed up the fire, said Alexander Menary, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court.

When O’Connor was arrested she confessed the theft report was untrue, and that she knew “people who knew people” to fire the car. She named her contact as Lisa Elliott, 38, who also made full admissions.

Elliot gave the car keys to her 37-year-old cousin Wayne Donachie, the “vital link in the chain” to the thief arsonist - a third party he wouldn’t name.

Donachie, of Larch Road, Stockton; O’Connor, of St Paul’s Road; and Elliott, of Ellerburne Street, both Thornaby, admitted the February conspiracy to commit fraud.

Richard Herrmann, defending O’Connor, said she made an “incredibly foolish decision” under financial pressures.

The mum, caring for two children, had her health care assistant job kept open.

Peter Wishlade, for Elliott, said the plot was hatched while she drank at O’Connor’s house and they discussed money worries.

He said she had lost her “unblemished character”, had never been in trouble before and posed no future risk.

John Gillette, representing Donachie who had numerous previous convictions, said: “It wasn’t his idea. Family loyalty and pressure was brought to bear upon him.”

He had spent the equivalent of 15 weeks in custody and already had a suspended prison sentence. He also admitted failing to attend court.

The judge, Recorder Ian Thorp, said O’Connor set the ball rolling and the other two played equal parts: “It’s only the efficiency and alertness of the police that prevented the fraud being carried out.”